Thursday, February 7, 2013

Inspiration: Part 2

Since my little "funk" continues, I thought I should embark on another "inspiration" post talking about all those that inspire me.

Today I'm going to talk about the running community. I first started running as part of the track team in high school. There was definitely a huge sense of community as you were part of a team and all that jazz. When I started running again in college and afterwards, I did it by myself. I would run on the treadmill, around the city, just because I liked to run. I would run with a few friends here and there but I did the majority of my training on my own (including my first half marathon).

It wasn't until I decided to tackle the marathon that I realized I wouldn't be able to do this on my own. I signed up for the local CARA group and started training.
With some of my training pals at the CARA compound before the Chicago Marathon 2011

After the Illinois Marathon (and half marathon) 2012

After the training for my first marathon was over, I didn't know what to do. I had all this extra time on my hands and I had made all these new running friends! The training group kind of dispersed afterwards so I decided to get in touch with my local running group, the FNRC. I had run with a few of the folks a few times, but over the winter, we really got the chance to do some bonding over the weather conditions and general running talk.
My first long run with the FNRC

First time meeting Maggie

After the marathon was over, I also decided to start this old blog. That opened me up to a whole entire world of the running blogger community. Some of these folks started off as acquaintances but have become friends over the months we've known each other. We do meetups, race, drink, eat and do all other sorts of things together. I really am lucky to be friends with so many great ladies.
My first ever  blogger meetup before the Shamrock Shuffle 2012

Girls weekend at Zooma Great Lakes 2012

Oiselle teammate meetup on the Chicago lakefront path

Chicago Blogger Holiday meetup

To me, all of these runners are inspiring in so many different ways! Whether it is my pace leader and pal Jeanne qualifying for Boston for the first time; Maggie PRing all the time getting faster and faster; Amanda W PRing when not planning it while overcoming injuries along the way; Amanda TTF who somehow manages to run marathons, complete triathlons while also raising a family at the same time; Kim who works full time, helps run a company with her husband, and maintains a vegan lifestyle; Sara who loves running marathons more than I ever thought possible; Erin who always looks adorable whether she is or isn't wearing running clothes; and Kelly who (has an awesome name) always shares great recipes and goes after her dream of becoming an Ironman, something I can only imagine in my wildest nightmares... And all the other ladies who I didn't mention but who continue to inspire those around them without even realizing it!

This post has got me feeling all warm and fuzzy... and very fortunate to have such great ladies in my life! I may be taking a little bit of a break but I know when I'm back at it, these ladies (and a few guys) will be there for me, no matter what. Who do you run with and how do they inspire you?


20 comments:

  1. Runners named Kelly unite!

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  2. Duh...I run with you (the most amazing run friend) and Maggie (ok...sometimes I run behind you guys but whatever!) :)
    Thanks Kelly!

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  3. Super honored to be part of this post! I might still be running without my running buddies, but it would definitely not be as fulfilling! To me running is perhaps the greatest sport for making friends because you have so much time to talk while you run.

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  4. :) So glad we met on that faithful trail so long ago (what is it, almost 2 years now??)

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  5. :) They have even said that honest conversations usually come out of running because of the endorphins and it is a non-threatening environment. You're not looking directly at each other yet you are still connected. Kind of cool, right?

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  6. Wonderful post! You have a lot of inspiring runner friends in your life.

    I run alone most of the time and absolutely enjoy my quiet time :) but do enjoy the company of others sometimes (the miles fly by with conversation!) Nothing makes me happier than seeing my puppy smiling during our runs. Hands down.

    Hmm now you've got me thinking about a blog post loosely related to this.

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  7. When I do my next full marathon, I want to do a lot, if not all, of the long runs by myself. I think that was part of my problem when I did it the first time around. I depended on the group setting and then doubted myself when I was left to my own devices. Looking forward to the next time around!

    Oh those dogs. They just really love their owners. :)

    Looking forward to your post!

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  8. Amanda TTF is making me feel like the most lazy runner ever. She makes me feel like that year-round, what with working fulltime, raising two kids, and consistently running, but also training for a marathon in this weather? Seriously. Amazing.

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  9. According to her blog she gets up at like 4am. I could only do that if I went to bed at 8pm.

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  10. Thanks for including me on your shout out list :) I have been thinking a lot lately about how lucky I am to have people in my life that inspire me so much. :) Really, everyone who is running does... we are all fitting it in, and beating the lure of the couch. LOL ;) And you especially inspire me right now ;)

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  11. For the record, after Aby's VB game last night, feeding the fam, then helping her finish a project, then bed hopping with Michael, I "may have" gotten 4 hours of sleep last night. 4am wake up call for the tempo session sucked but I am st feeling the high from a morning workout. It's really awesome!

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  12. Don't feel lazy! I run for me. For my personal SANITY. No joke. And my house is trashed all the time. Like embarrassingly so.... please don't stop by unannounced. The laundry is overflowing, the dishes need done, the kiddos have toys/projects/books spreadk over every conceivable surface. The dogs hari is out of control. It's gross really.

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  13. Kelly, you totally inspire all of us too. Things aren't always easy but you will bounce back strong, revived and ready to run..... Hopefully in time to race me to the finish at the Shamrock!! :o) When all else fails, think of the Shamrock. Plan your outfit girl! BEST.RACE.EVER!

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  14. Well, see, that sounds like how I am, but I have more than enough time to take care of it all ... but I don't :)

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  15. Uh yeah, don't come over to my house unannounced either. Lol. I'm lucky we have a dog that doesn't shed or else I'd be in trouble...

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  16. I second Maggie. I still think you're amazing! :)

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  17. Thanks Amanda! I'm registered and ready for a fantastic time for the Shamrock Shuffle! :)

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